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The art of Summer

White tents and high-class art lined Washington Avenue, turning the downtown into an art gallery this weekend for the Grand Haven Art Festival.

Julie Angell

Jun 30, 2014

The Chamber of Commerce Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Ferrysburg hosted the 53rd annual event that showcases artists from around town and out of the country. A Family Fun Day, held in conjunction with the festival, entertained kids with fun crafts, face painting and hands on art projects.
Artists were kept busy on the sweltering first day of the festival as folks weaved in and out of each tent, admiring art and making purchases.
“Thousands of people I feel like have walked by in the past two hours,” Chamber of Commerce Events Coordinator Courtney Geurink said.
The festival was packed with people who traveled from far away to enjoy the art its backdrop of Grand Haven’s downtown area.
The Emerging Artist Tent presented by the New York Times was found at the far end of the art market and attracted large crowds throughout the day.
“It’s nice to see people walk around and enjoy artwork,” said Grand Rapids artist Angelica. “I’ve had a lot of feedback.”
Although Hay’s bright paintings were underneath the tent for emerging artists, she’s had plenty of art festival experience including involvements with ArtPrize in Grand Rapids. Crowds walked by taking notice of talent and fed plenty of compliments to the artists, especially Hay.
As crowds perused through each artists’ tent it was difficult not to miss Robert Linn’s bow saw display. Linn encouraged those strolling by to try their hand at cutting tomatoes and bread with one of his hand crafted wooden knives. Linn said the blades demand 200 cutting hours. This was Linn’s first time at the Grand Haven Art Festival and he was impressed with the turnout.
“...Fantastic business,” Linn said. “How can you not? It’s Grand Haven.”
Artists’ work was judged in four categories: attractiveness of display, artist customer service, comparison of artwork displayed to what was juried and community interest and purchasing of artwork. One hundred artists ended up displaying and selling their eclectic paintings, photos, jewelry, cutlery and more to celebrate arts in Grand Haven.